The Overland Park Farmers’ Market has been named the nation’s favorite after a poll by the American Farmland Trust.
It’s a big award and came after a major election: More than 10 million votes were cast in the contest, which included finalists from five regions covering all fifty states.
The contest ran between June 21 and September 19—that’s astrological summer—and is part of an effort to highlight the important role farmers’ markets play in American communities and our food system.
Kristina Stanley, who supervises the market through the City of Overland Park, says that the award is extra meaningful given the constant pivoting required to operate safely during the pandemic.
“We all mentally adapted to overcome the fears and uncertainties of the unknowns,” she said in a press release. “This pandemic has highlighted the primary function of what a farmers’ market is and how critical local food is to both vendors and shoppers. From opening as a drive-thru market, to a social distancing market and then moving back to Downtown Overland Park to now the Expanded Pavilion Site, we learned the value and were reminded just how essential the farmers’ market truly is.”
Now that it’s autumn, the Overland Park Famers’ Market runs Saturdays from 7:30 am to 1 pm at 7950 Marty Street in Overland Park.
